Description
Indulgent bacon carbonara merges Italian culinary tradition with rich, comforting flavors. Silky pasta strands coat each morsel with crispy pancetta, creating a luxurious dining experience perfect for intimate dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (such as fettuccine or penne)
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk
Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) butter
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) pasta water (as needed)
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water at high heat for 8-10 minutes until al dente, carefully preserving 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining.
- Render bacon pieces in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes until golden and crisp, transferring cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate while retaining rendered fat.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium-low and melt butter, adding minced garlic and sautéing for 30-45 seconds until aromatic without browning.
- Slowly pour heavy cream and milk into the skillet, whisking continuously to create a smooth base. Incorporate Parmesan cheese, cracked black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Allow sauce to gently simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring periodically until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Introduce cooked pasta directly into the cream sauce, tossing thoroughly to ensure complete coverage. Adjust sauce consistency by adding reserved pasta water as needed.
- Fold crispy bacon pieces into the creamy pasta, distributing evenly throughout the dish.
- Plate the pasta and garnish with fresh chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese for enhanced flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Save some pasta water before draining to help create a silky, glossy sauce that perfectly coats every strand of pasta.
- Crisp bacon slowly over medium heat to render out maximum flavor and achieve that perfect crunchy texture without burning.
- Control sauce thickness by gradually adding reserved pasta water, creating a luxurious consistency that clings beautifully to the noodles.
- Swap heavy cream with lighter alternatives like half-and-half or Greek yogurt for a lower-calorie version that still delivers rich, creamy goodness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg